Lakewood, NJ --- The American Cancer Society
(ACS) estimates that about one in eight women in the United
States (approximately 13 percent) will develop breast cancer
during her lifetime. This year alone the ACS estimates that
200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in this
country and more than 40,000 women will die. It’s the
leading cause of new cancer diagnosis after skin cancer,
and the second only to lung cancer in the number of lives
it claims each year.
“The majority of women who develop breast cancer have
no known family history of the disease,” explains Eric
Lehnes, MD, Obstetrician/Gynecologist on staff at Kimball
Medical Center. “Being a female puts you at risk for
this disease, and that risk increases as you age. In fact,
women over 70 years old have a 25 percent chance of developing
breast cancer,” he adds.
According to Dr. Lehnes, in addition to gender and age,
several other factors increase a woman’s risk for breast
cancer. These factors include genetics as well as your family
and personal history. “If you have a mother, sister,
daughter or two or more other close relatives, such as cousins,
diagnosed with breast cancer, particularly at an early age,
you have an increased risk for the disease,” he explains. “In
addition, other risk factors include the early onset of puberty
and the late onset of menopause, both of which are related
to a woman’s lifetime exposure to estrogen and possibly
progesterone, another hormone produced in the ovaries.
“Women who never had children or delayed pregnancy
until later in life also have an increased risk of breast
cancer again because of hormonal exposures,” he adds.
Other risk factors include previous benign breast conditions,
as well as obesity, smoking and alcohol consumption.
While there is no sure way to prevent breast cancer, women
can reduce their risks by making healthy lifestyle changes,
according to Dr. Lehnes. These include reducing alcohol consumption,
quitting cigarettes, exercising regularly and maintaining
a healthy body weight at every age. In addition, making prevention
an important part of your health regime can improve your
chances for early detection of breast cancer – when
treatment is most successful.
“Women who perform monthly breast self-exams, are
diligent about having mammograms at recommended intervals
and see their doctor for clinical breast exams on a regular
basis are doing everything they can to improve the chances
of detecting breast cancer early,” says Dr. Lehnes.
“The earlier breast cancer is detected, the more treatment
options are available and the better the chances that treatment
will be successful,” he adds. In fact, research shows
that mortality rates are declining by about two percent each
year, in large part because of early detection and treatment.
Mammography, currently the gold standard in breast cancer
screening, is a low-dose x-ray procedure that allows visualization
of the internal structure of the breast. Current ACS guidelines
call for a baseline mammography at age 40, followed by mammograms
every one to two years for women ages 40 to 49, depending
on previous findings, and then mammograms annually for women
over 50.
Renee Georges, M.D., a Lakewood-based breast surgeon also
on staff at Kimball Medical Center, believes that screening
women for breast cancer at an earlier age might improve early
detection efforts. “I would recommend a baseline mammography
between the ages 35 and 39 and then yearly from 40 onwards,” she
notes. “I am seeing quite a few patients in the 30
to 49 age range with breast cancer,” she notes.
According to Dr. Georges, while mammography is highly accurate,
it is not perfect. The reliability of mammography to detect
cancer can depend on a variety of factors. On average, mammography
detects 80 to 90 percent of breast cancers in women with
no symptoms.
“Women with dense breasts, scar tissue from
previous breast surgery, or those with breast implants often
have difficulty with the reliability of screening with mammography
alone,” she explains. For these women, additional diagnostic
tests such as breast ultrasound or breast MRI are sometimes
recommended.
Dr. Georges stresses that any change in the breasts – a
lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm
area; a change in the size or shape of the breast; nipple
discharge or tenderness; inverted nipples; ridges or pitting
of the breast (skin looks similar to an orange peel); and
the way the skin of the breast, areola (area surrounding
the nipple) or nipple looks or feels (red, scaly, warm or
swollen), should be evaluated by your doctor. “He or
she may recommend further diagnostic testing or refer you
to a breast surgeon for a biopsy to rule out cancer,” she
adds.
According to Dr. Georges, it’s important for women
to understand that nearly 80 percent of breast abnormalities
are benign. While great strides have been made in the treatment
of breast cancer, Dr. Georges stresses that for the remaining
20 percent or so – early detection is key.
“Taking charge of your breast health by avoiding or
eliminating known risk factors, and making sure you follow
recommended guidelines for early detection is critical for
every woman,” says Dr. Georges. “While the prospect
of finding out whether or not you have breast cancer can
be frightening – not doing so can be deadly.”
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, make sure the women
in your life make breast health a priority. If you, or a
loved one, haven’t had a mammogram within the recommended
guidelines, call your doctor and schedule an appointment
today.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric Lehnes or Dr. Renee
Georges, or another physician affiliated with Kimball Medical
Center, please call the Saint Barnabas Health Care Link at
1-888-SBHS-123 (888-724-7123).
Date: October 13, 2009
CONTACT: Carrie Cristello
Director, Public Relations
732-923-6552
ccristello@sbhcs.com
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